6 hurt in Charlton crash

CHARLTON — Six people were injured in a head-on collision on Southbridge Road (Route 169) early this morning, according to police.

At least one occupant of one of the two vehicles involved had to be extricated by rescue personnel using the Jaws of Life, according to Police Officer Richard M. McGrath. The crash occurred shortly after 1:10 a.m. in the area of 78 Southbridge Road.

The driver and four occupants of a 2002 Buick Century that was involved in the collision with a 1999 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck were injured, as was the driver of the pickup, according to Officer McGrath. All six were taken to area hospitals, but none was believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries, Officer McGrath said.

The injured were either transported to Harrington Hospital in Southbridge or UMass Memorial Medical Center — University Campus in Worcester, he said. Their names were not immediately available.

The driver of the Buick had to be extricated from the vehicle, according to Officer McGrath, who said it appeared that the car was headed north on Southbridge Road and the pickup was traveling south.

The accident remains under investigation. Charlton and state police responded to the crash, along with the Charlton Fire Department and ambulances from Charlton, Southbridge, Sturbridge and East Brookfield.